International burlesque sensation and former Miss Exotic World (2008) Angie Pontani talks glamina, keeping the drama for your mama, the smell of hot glue, vintage industrial sewing machines, and the New York Burlesque Festival.

Interview: Divertida Devotchka

Born a Jersey girl and dancing since age 4, you moved to New York at 17 to study dance and theater at NYU, but admittedly found the program to be “really super boring” and became a burlesque performer “almost by accident.” Tell us about that first performance at the Dutch Weismann Follies and how it changed your life.

Dutch Weismann Follies absolutely changed my life. It was everything that I imagined show business would be exquisitely crammed into this exclusive underground show. They turned a NYC railroad apartment into a speakeasy and created the most gorgeous costumes I’ve ever seen basically out of curtains.  It taught me that you can make anything happen.  During the first show, I was a nervous and excited wreck.  I felt like it was a big accident that I was cast, my dancing skills and experience were way below the other gals, I was also shorter, underage and totally naive.  I was totally faking it, watching the other gals and trying my best to mimic them!  I had three rehearsals to learn three routines and didn’t even get a fitting in my costumes until about an hour before curtain.  I clearly remember sitting back stage with the fantastic cast trying to figure out how to glue my lashes on and how to get those huge headdresses to stay on. The buzz of the audience was electrifying and the smell of hot glue filled the backstage air. I love that smell. It’s almost as comforting to me as the smell of my grandmom’s kitchen on a Sunday. About 13 seconds after the curtain came up on the opening number, I had an absolute Janet Jackson costume malfunction! The minute I threw my arms in the air for a dance move, the girls came out!  The costume was a tad too small I suppose, but I managed to get through the number with a lot of spinning and stuffing in.  That was it for me, I haven’t performed in any other type of show since and I suppose I wasn’t so bad because I quickly went from being in the chorus line to having several feature acts- I even sang in one.  That show was absolutely magical, from the costumes, story line, music, choreography and cast. I am lucky to have been a part of it and can’t wait for Dutch to mount another production!   Even after the show closed in a perfect cloud of scandal, as all speakeasy shows should, many of the cast and crew pushed me to keep performing and helped me when I started the Pontani Sisters.

What are the pros and cons of having a manager? At what point should a gal decide to get a manager?

I don’t really have a manager so much as I have 3 amazing booking agents that I work with, one who does my solo performances, one who books my full show Burlesque-A-Pades and one who handles all my work in Italy.  They are all much more than basic agents to me and help me with career decisions, press and really anything else I ask them advice on.  I am very hands on with my career and work really closely with my agents on everything.  The choice to use agents was really made for me when I couldn’t keep up with bookings and focus on my act at the same time.  I’m into fast response and being on top of things. When that became impossible because of my travel I got serious about getting representation.  The choice to get an agent or manager is a big one and certainly one that someone should consider when they get to the point that they can’t keep up with their work load, but you really need to find someone that you trust and jive with, someone who understands your act and won’t book you into an event that isn’t for you.  They are after all a representation of you, so it’s important to get someone who gets you!  I also rely on my family a lot and they are always happy to give me their opinions, especially my sister Tara who started the Pontani Sisters with Helen and me.

How long have you been co-producing the New York Burlesque Festival? The festival will have its ninth birthday this fall, and we’d like to know- what have you learned from your role in the festival?

I’ve been co-producing the New York Burlesque Festival since its inception 9 years ago.  I’ve learned a lot from that event, it’s not easy to organize 150+ performers, each with unique needs. With these big events, and with every show, it’s about advancing the information, being clear in communication, being organized and having a great team.  People are traveling from all over the world for 4 minutes on one of our stages in the big apple. We want to give them and the audience the best experience possible. To do that we advance all the information with each individual performer, the venue tech teams, our stage manager and sound coordinator, the host, the whole crew. It’s all about pre-empting any issues as well as having a fabulous crew, so that when something does go wrong everyone knows what to do.  We also search high and low for great venues with nice high stages and clean sight-lines; my favorite is B.B Kings in Times Square!  We also will be at Brooklyn Bowl, The Highline Ballroom and The Bell House this year; these venues are all top notch.  Additionally, we have a total zero drama policy. Keep the drama for your mama, we are here to do a great show.

Last fall, you said in your CNN iReport interview that one of the most difficult things about being self-employed is ensuring that you stay employed. Many people don’t realize that though you have what some would consider a dream job, it’s a constant struggle to get more work, and that you work 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Do you find that people misjudge the amount of work required to being a full-time performer, producer and choreographer? How do you manage all of that without going crazy?

Well, I think you have to be a bit crazy to be in showbiz. But absolutely, most of my non-entertainer friends don’t even consider my career a real job.  They think it’s all good times, parties, traveling and gallivanting.  While that is part of my job, 97% is total work. During my “off” days, I am working on upcoming tours, shoots, shows, videos, keeping my site and press materials current,  creating new costumes and maintaining my working costumes, thinking up new shows and keeping up with myself! Going to the gym and doing my nails are things that are career requirements to me.  When I am in show mode on tour or doing a string of performances, it’s typically a chaotic and sometimes grueling schedule.  Plane to tech to show, van to tech to show, plane to tech to show, etc…. That is the schedule and it can go on like that for weeks on end, throw in early morning interviews, time changes and sleep deprivation for fun! You need a lot of glamina (glamour+ stamina) to have a career in burlesque.  It’s also tough on family relations sometimes, I love my family and being away so much can be a challenge.  This year I’ve missed Easter and Mother’s Day dinner, I’m probably the first Pontani to ever do that!

In the same CNN interview you were quoted saying, “A good burlesque show is when the audience can get lost in the show.” What suggestions do you have as a producer and performer in terms of how to guarantee that your audience “gets lost” in the show?

As a producer, you need to think about more of the technical aspects, aside from getting a great crowd and keeping your performers happy in the green room.  Good lights, a proper stage with good sight lines- these things make a good show great. As a performer, you should be thinking and caring about these things as well, but you also have to practice.  I like to practice my routines like crazy.  I don’t ever want to think about what comes next, I like for it to be instinct so that I can be up there running on instinct and having fun, not panicking about my next step or garment removal, which is also why it’s important to practice in costume. Know your costume in and out and where the weakest points are in case of a tear away emergency.  It’s a little insane I know, but when I rehearse, I will first get my basic act down, know my markers in the music and where different things should happen, then I will turn in every direction and do the routine, I’ll do it in the dance studio which is a hard wood floor, then my living room which is shag carpet, then I’ll do it in my tiled entry way and then I do it with all the lights out and my eyes closed.  If you can handle that, you can handle any warbled stage or other mishap you might endure.

You, as well as your sisters, have played a significant role in not only the New York burlesque scene, but the burlesque revival in general. Though I’m sure there are many, what are some of the big changes that you’ve noticed taking place in recent years as far as the revival is concerned?

The form seems to be perpetually evolving and changing.  Mostly it has grown, there were a hand full of us in the beginning and now there are tons of performers.  I also see a lot of sects forming, classic, alternative, punky, comedy, pop, contemporary, themes… people who take burlesque and adapt it to their sensibilities teaming up with other like minded folks and creating full shows.  The biggest change is the growth of the scene, it’s amazing to watch and be a part of as well.

Unlike some other performers whom I’ve heard describe burlesque as an almost exclusive hyper-glamorous art form, you seem to stress the realness and audience connection when you describe burlesque, which I find not only much more realistic, but it also shows that you’re rather down to earth. You’ve said that burlesque “is being able to manifest this ideal image of glamour but at the same time create almost an accessibility to the audience where they connect with you… it’s ultra-glamorous, but not off-putting. It’s not like a red velvet rope feeling… We put a lot of effort and money into looking glamorous and fabulous but there’s a realness to it that I think people can connect to… it’s not unattainable.” What do you think is the key to being both ultra-glamorous and making a real connection with the audience?

I think a big part of the key is not taking yourself too seriously. I am very serious about serious entertainment, but there is a balance. I don’t want people’s perception of me to be this false ideal, that’s just not who I am.  I love glamour and corsets and 5″ heels and 20 pound gowns and my glass bath tub, but with enough time and effort anyone can have those things. The reality is I also love vacuuming and sitting on my stoop on any given day for hours chatting with my neighbors.  I think of Dolly Parton as the ultimate ideal of this philosophy, she is both glam, amazing, wildly talented and a total diva in her own way, but she is also real and real about what is fake. I hope I’m making sense, I have a tough time with these questions because to me burlesque is what it is, and it’s showbiz. I’m not much for analyzing.  If you are good at what you do and have a sincerity and love for show business, it comes across and that’s the joy and excitement the audience feels.

I noticed from some of your Facebook posts that you have at least one vintage sewing machine. What are the benefits of using an older model? Any drawbacks?

I have two vintage machines, both hand me downs from my family. One is a huge Viking Huskvarna industrial machine from the 40′s, the other is a 50′s table top Singer.  I’ve got a modern singer as well, but I rarely use it.  The old machines are quite indestructible and look a lot better too.  I don’t make my own costumes anymore, but when I did, I used those vintage machines. My Viking will sew through anything, fingers included. It is a dream with heavy fabrics.  The drawback to the vintage machines are repairs, I actually recently put my Viking in storage, there was only one man NYC who repaired that type of machine. He did house calls and came and tuned up my machine once a year, sadly he passed away and I can’t find anyone who can really get her going since!   I’ll never get rid of her, in fact I think I will probably end up hiring a mechanic to come and replace the motor and other parts one day.  Even though I don’t make my own costumes anymore, I sew quite a bit.  I tailor most everything I buy and I make a lot of my own clothes.  I love to make my friends homemade gifts for holidays and birthdays, like vintage aprons in really fun novelty prints.

What big projects are you working on at the moment?

There is a lot in the works right now,  we are in full swing planning for the 9th Annual New York Burlesque Festival which will take place September 29th – October 2nd right here in the big apple.  I am also working on a new touring show with Los Straitjackets, the Rock ‘N Burlesque Spectacular, that will be a two week tour in late October, we will also have a Burlesque-A-Pades tour back on in the winter and I’m going to be releasing some new DVD’s this Fall, including a new Go-Go Robics. I am really excited about that one!

Samantha Knight was just crowned Texas Pin-Up Model: One to Watch (the Newcomer category) at Hot Rods and Heels. Here she chats med school, Patsy Cline, and standing out in a crowd.  Photos: Shoshana of Through the Looking Glass Studio, MUA/H: Ladonna Stein

Q: Congrats on being crowned Texas Pin-Up Model: One to Watch. Since this is the newcomer category, you obviously have had a whirlwind year. Tell us about that very first shoot, your goals for yourself as a model this year, and how you achieved them.

My very first pinup shoot was with Alvarado in Los Angeles. I had never shot pin-up before but I really wanted to get into it. I loved all the bright colors and the super cute clothing. I was really nervous because I was used to shooting more glamour and editorial fashion and the poses are a little different. My best friend took video of the shoot and looking back I can say I’ve definitely come a long way cause it was a hot mess. Some goals I set for myself this year so far was to try and change my look frequently. I change my hair a lot. I started out as platinum going more gray/white and slowly went to a darker purple. Next I plan on going more platinum mixed with either pink or soft lilac, more for work purposes. A few other goals was submitting more work to get published and designing more clothing for shoots. I love making bright colored vintage inspired clothing.

Q: I hate the word “scene” but sometimes it is necessary. Breaking into the “scene” can be difficult, what were the three biggest lessons you learned this year? What advice would you give to ladies who want to pursue pin-up modeling?

One thing I’ve learned with getting into modeling is to never give up and to stay positive. Secondly, you have to really network to get your name out there whether it’s online or going to different events. Lastly, you have to work with different photographers. It really helps working with different styles, different people like different things and that will only make you a better model. Advice I could give other ladies is to be yourself and bring your own flair into it. When it comes down to it pin-up is pin-up and you have to put your own flair in it to make it pop and be different.

Q: You have a very unusual look with your purple cotton candy hair. How do you maintain it, and do you feel standing out so much has helped or hurt you overall?

Maintaining my hair is pretty easy. My natural shade is a fairly light blonde so my stylist doesn’t have to do much to get it light. I go in probably every month and a half and get it touched up. I was using a water rinse on my hair but this last time my stylist mixed something up and it takes like 3-4 weeks for it to finally fade. It stays in there pretty well. I feel like standing out actually helped a lot with my modeling. It stands out and draws attention so I feel like people notice the unusual weird stuff. haha.

Q: In addition to modeling, you’ve had a busy year with school. I understand your studying medicine with the goal of becoming an OB/GYN. How did you know this was the career path for you?

Ever since I was a little girl I told everyone I was going to be a doctor, actress and figure skater. Yes I really believed I was going to be all three of those when I was little. I have always enjoyed science and the physiology of the human body and of course helping people. When I first started college I changed my major from pre-med to fashion design my sophomore year and I took a break from school to figure out what I really wanted and I started back this last fall with the determination of going for what I have always truly wanted to be an OB/GYN.

Q: If you could have dinner with any five people, living or dead, who would they be and why?

Jayne Mansfield, I love Jayne Mansfield, she loves the color pink, heart shaped things and chihuahuas, how could I not want to have dinner with her? Marilyn Monroe, I’ve be in love with everything Marilyn Monroe since I was a little girl when I started watching her movies. Patsy Cline because I love her music and grew up listening to her. Reese Witherspoon because she’s my favorite actress. Lastly, Betsey Johnson because she is one of my favorite designers.

Q: What does the future hold for Samantha Knight?

Traveling around for shoots is definitely in the works right now. I am currently in the works of teaming of with a friend who makes clothing and we plan on traveling together so that will be awesome. Hopefully more publications in different magazines, I get so swamped with school sometimes I forget to submit. Also finishing school, that is my ultimate goal right now for my future.

Dallas’ Blaze was just crowned Texas Performer, One to Watch (the Newcomer category) at Hot Rods and Heels. She sits down with us to talk motorcycles, Ziggy Stardust, costuming, and hair maintenance.

Q: Congrats on winning the Title of TX Burlesque Performer- One to Watch (Newcomer category)!  You seemed to create quite a stir in your first year; to what do you attribute your success?

Thank you! I’m very excited and honored to claim that as my first burlesque title! As far as what I attribute my success to I think a lot of factors came into play. I have an extensive dance background so that helped a lot. I have a great support network of talented friends that encouraged me to really push myself. I have a wonderfully supportive Husband who helps me with my music, watches my endless rehearsing & grudgingly puts up with all the glitter & rhinestones that litter my home.

I think above all though is my determination to really put on the best show I possibly can in the 4 minutes I’m on stage. I really wanted people to walk away from one of my performances saying ‘Wow, that was amazing!’ rather than ‘Aww, she’s new, I’m sure she’ll get better’ so I really though hard on each performance and the impression I was going to give the audience. After all, it is really all about them!

Q: I understand you have made all of your costumes yourself, and they are absolutely amazing! Do you have a background in costuming?

Thank you again! I do make most all of my own costumes but I have purchased various pieces from vendors in the past due to either time constraints or just coming across something perfect for what I was going for. I’ve been sewing my own costumes ever since I asked for a leather jacket for Christmas when I was 13 but got a sewing machine instead! I’ve taken a few courses on sewing & design but I am mostly self taught; a lot of experimentation lead up to where I am today!

Q: Your hair has become a signature, is it a custom color, and how hard is it to maintain?

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me if I would tell them how to get their hair color the same as mine I would be living *quite* comfortably at this point! I do use products purchased from a regular beauty supply store but I do combine them to create what you see.  Thankfully my hair color is naturally light so I don’t have to use any bleach but it is a lot of upkeep; root touch up at least once a month (more if I have important shows) and color depositing shampoo every time I wash it. I’ve been a redhead for over 15 years now & I think I have *finally* figured it out!

Q: Of all of the new opportunities that have come your way recently, how do you decide which ones to pursue, and which to pass on?

I have more hobbies and interests than really any one person should have so I learned very quickly that I needed to have an up to date calendar with me at all times to first see if I have the time available. I keep in mind if I would have to create a new number for the event & if I have time to create, rehearse, costume & perfect it.  After that I take into consideration the cost of the show for me vs. the compensation I would be getting. Things like would I need a new costume? How far is the event for gas expenditures and if I would need to purchase a hotel for the evening.  If it’s a charity event is it something I would actually want to support? I try to remember that just because someone give me a chance to be onstage doesn’t always mean I need to be up there.

Q: What would be your top three tips for new gals trying to break into burlesque?

Let’s see…

1) Figure out a starting point. Do you want to do classic style burlesque or some really edgy numbers? Is there a performer that really speaks to you with their shows & you want to create the same kind of art? You don’t necessarily have to do that style for the rest of your career but this will at least give you a starting point to seek out teachers or other performers that may help you get started.

2) Attend as many burlesque shows as you possibly can. not only will you see new & exciting performances & styles that you might not be aware of but you will also meet many of the producers & performers involved in shows in your area.  Talk to them about your interest in performing and they might be able to direct you to classes & workshops or troupes that could help.

3) Don’t ever put a performance piece onstage until it’s ready to be seen. Like I said earlier I never wanted people to think ‘oh, she’s just new at this’ due to a lackluster number. Really work hard on your presentation before it gets to the stage.  Practice in front of friends & family & get their feedback.  Get photos taken of you in your costume so you can see how it looks to other people. Record a practice if you can so you can see how everything looks in movement. Above all remember that you are performing for the audience and you need to make THEM happy rather than just satisfying your need to be in the spotlight.

Q: You recently bought a motorcycle, tell us all about your new biker adventures.

I’m so excited about that! I completed my safety course, got my license and picked up my bike all in one day! I now own a 2007 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750DC; it’s all black and chrome with red pinstripe flames painted on the tank.  As soon as I saw it & sat on it I knew it was meant to be mine! I’m still working up to being as proficient as I need to be before heading out alone and safety is a big concern of mine but it’s been a blast so far!

Q: If you could have dinner with any five people, living or dead, who would they be and why?

Tough question!

1) John F. Kennedy – Being born & raised in Massachusetts the Kennedys have always been a fascination for me. My first really ‘book report’ was on JFK when I was in 4th grade.  One of the very first things I ever did in Texas was to go to Dealey Plaza; I still won’t drive over or even get near that ghastly ‘X’ there. I admire what he was trying to do and even though he had normal failings like every human being I think he was a great leader.

2) David Bowie – I remember the first time I heard ‘Ziggy Startdust’ & I came home to tell my mother how much I loved it.  She told me ‘You wouldn’t like him if you knew what he was like in the 70′s’ so of course I immediately went & looked it up & was downright smitten! The movie ‘Labyrinth’ only strengthened my fondness of him & Sarah’s ballgown from that movie turned out to be the first ‘big’ costume I ever made.  Would love to be able to just sit and eat my dinner while listening to him talk and looking at him across the table!

3) Gary Numan – Another British rocker that I am hopelessly smitten with! I met him and his lovely wife Gemma years ago at a show in Boston; I was dressed like Joseph Michael Linsner’s character ‘Dawn’ who Gary had done a ‘soundtrack to read by’ for recently. He actually asked to meet me! I love his music and they were both such lovely people I’d really jump at the chance for a dinner with them.

4) Baz Lurhman – The creator of my favorite movie ever; ‘Moulin Rouge’.  I’ve admired many of his films but MR struck me so deeply from the very first time I saw it I doubt there will ever be another movie able to do the same.  I’ve recreated many of Satine’s costumes from it (in frightening detail sometime & please don’t ask me how much I’ve spent over the years on them!) and still cry every single time I watch the end of it. Both he and his wife Catherine Martin (the costume designer for MR) are such huge inspirations to me I would probably be just speechless the entire time!

5) My Dad – I’m very lucky to still have my father alive but I haven’t seen him in person since I got married in 2006. he’s always been such a big supporter of anything and everything I’ve wanted to do in my life even if he didn’t so much approve of what it was.  As long as it made me happy that is all he cared about.  i still talk to him on the phone quite often but there is nothing like a hug in person from your Dad.

Q: What does the future hold for Blaze?

I’m not sure! Sometimes I get frustrated trying to think about what the future does hold for me as there are so many things I want to do & accomplish & I’ve never claimed patience as one of my virtues! Whatever I’ll be doing you can be sure it will include a lot of glitter & rhinestones though!

The Silver Slipper and the Infamous Evelyn West and Blaze Starr

by: Femme Vivre LaRouge

The only icon that says Las Vegas more than a slot machine is a showgirl.  From can-can to canned music, Vegas seems to have always welcomed scantily clad women on its stages.  Some of the biggest busts in burlesque were popular touring sensations at the Silver Slipper in the mid-century.  One of the largest casinos on the Strip in its heyday, some favorites at this saloon were Tempest Storm, Evelyn West, and Blaze Starr.

Although there was little protest to the stripteasers’ Vegas presentations, both Blaze Starr and Evelyn West found themselves under the scrutiny of the law when performing elsewhere.  In Philadelphia Blaze Starr’s performance was brought up on an obscenity charge for her aggressively sexual panther crawl and Evelyn West was reportedly hauled to the big house at least a half dozen times in St. Louis.

Billed as “The Hottest Blaze in Burlesque,” Blaze Starr was born in 1932, hit the road at the age of 15, leaving her Virginia home behind, and was performing burlesque in Baltimore by 16.  With her phenomenal figure and flaming red hair, Blaze quickly made a name for herself.  This hot-blooded mama can aptly be described as fierce, her acts known for their energy and daring.  Her most famous stage prop was the burning couch, a device that was both hot and humorous.  As Blaze graced the divan with her derriere and began to disrobe, the couch would start to smoke and seemingly set itself on fire!  The only person this act didn’t make her popular with was probably the fire marshall.  What really got her into trouble, though, was another little stunt involving a live panther.  The panther joined her onstage and helped her out of her clothes while searching for hidden snacks.  But problems didn’t arise from a protest by PETA or an act of animal violence.  No, the trouble all started when the panther passed away…and Blaze decicded to keep the routine, imitating the panther herself.  Although audiences were ready for her raw re-enaction of the panther’s prowl, police were not.  Perhaps they feared that Blaze would incite a sexual riot, so they arrested her for obscenity.  Just as a later accusation in New Orleans would be, the charges were thrown out.

Miss Starr is perhaps best known these days for her love affair with “the ungovernable governor,” Earl K. Long of Louisiana and the movie, Blaze, based off of her autobiography.  Previously pictured as the lead in 1962’s Blaze Starr Goes Nudist, Blaze may not have been an actual nudist, but Miss Evelyn West spent some time as a part of The American Sunbathing Assocation.  She advocated the health and happiness that nudism could bring to a person and was even a bridesmaid in a nude wedding once.

Known as “The Hubba-Hubba Girl,” Evelyn West was born in 1921 and has been credited with making burlesque ‘bust-conscious.’  She was so proud of her own pair that she had them insured for 50 big ones through the prestigious Lloyd’s of London.  She even attempted to legally change her name to Evelyn “$50,000 Treasure Chest” West.

Beginning in sideshow, Evelyn’s career really took off after World War II when she began performing a striptease at San Francisco’s President’s Club.  She appeared in the film A Night at the Follies in 1947, where she quipped, “I know you’re looking at my shoes,” and was an extra in a couple of earlier films, but burlesque was where she really made it big.  Despite her many run-ins with the St. Louis police department, Deputy Police Chief James Hacket gave her the compliment of calling her “the Babe Ruth of burlesque.”  Her most notorious prop, a dummy called Esky, modeled after Esquire magazine’s mascot, caused some to take offense.  They claimed that her act “excited men to lewd and vicious thoughts,” but as per usual, the judge in this case was hesitant to navigate the grey area between art and misconduct, and the charges were dropped.  Although she was taken in for indecent exposure several times, her bondsman, Bob Block, has stated that she was never held over night.

Miss West had no problem stirring up a little trouble, and publicity, wherever she went.  Evelyn was known to make disparaging comments about rival celebrities, even throwing a tomato at one, and threatening to sue others.  According to one source, her pin-up photos were banned by the US postal service for lewdness and a pricing scale that correlated directly to Miss West’s state of undress.

From starring at the Stardust and Silver Slipper to authoring articles such as “How I Feel about Sex” and “Are Strippers Immoral,” the buxom beauty definitely made her mark on burlesque.  Evelyn eventually retired to anonymity, though, and passed on in 2004.  Blaze Starr, however, continues to create art, selling her jewelry online at www.blazestarrsgems.com.  She also still enjoys playing the Cajun fiddle and the slot machines!

Burlesque Haunts: Vegas

by: Femme Vivre LaRouge

It’s June, which means tons of burlesque performers, producers, and fans, are heading to Las Vegas! In honor of Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, we present to you- Burlesque Haunts: The Vegas Edition!

Bugsy Siegel’s Fated Flamingo Hotel and Casino

In a city where change is the only constant, the Flamingo has lasted longer than most Las Vegas establishments can ever dream.  It has now seen several owners, but the original was the notorious gangster, Bugsy Siegel, in 1946.  The project cost three times its preliminary estimate, and also cost Bugsy his life.  Construction was halted several times due to battles over building permits and the post-war lack of resources.  While Mafia men were inititally ecstatic to expand their gambling empires, the mounting costs and Bugsy’s shady dealings while trying to get the job done turned them sour.  During the building of The Flamingo not only was the Mafia becoming displeased with Mr. Siegel, a successful career hooligan and rumored lover of the likes of Jean Harlow and Marilyn Monroe, but J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI were closing in on him as well.  Knowing full well that mob bosses were becoming impatient with Siegel, Hoover only fueled the fire by using Walter Winchell to plant rumors about Siegel’s money mishandling.  It all came to a head in the summer of 1947, just six months after the grand opening of Bugsy’s beloved Flamingo.

Many guests at the original hotel, and even after extensive remodeling of the resort, insist that Bugsy still revisits his pet project.  Numerous patrons have sighted Siegel’s ghost in his fouth floor Presidential Suite.  In true gangster fashion, this was no typical suite.  The walls were reinforced with naval steel, the windows bulletproof, and the room came complete with gun portals and a dead-end stairway and hall meant to confound would-be assasins.  Furthermore, the room had only one entrance but no less than five exits, including trap doors, secret passageways, hidden stairwells, and even a secret elevator.  Unfortunately, though, none of these devices helped him when he was gunned down in his moll’s Beverly Hills home.

Visitors at the Presidential Suite have often seen an apparition of Bugsy in the room, usually lounging by the pool table or milling around in his pistachio green bathroom.  On quiet evenings Bugsy has been known to visit the pool and has been sighted at the wedding chapel, as well as the rose garden, near his own historical monument.

While Bugsy Siegel’s afterlife activity is more pronounced than most, Las Vegas is host to many specters.  Some say that they have seen Houdini haunting The Plaza’s showroom and others have spotted the white-sequined figure of Elvis both at the Las Vegas Hilton and the old RCA recording building, where he has been known to respond to any mention of his name.  Liberace has been sighted in his restaurant, Carluccio’s, overseeing the staff, and one employee even encountered the reflection of a bedazzling, floating cape while cleaning a large mirror!  The employee, Oscar Ortiz, stated that Liberace is “a good ghost who’s watching to make sure his place is clean.”  Some customers at Whiskey Pete’s have sensed Clyde Barrow hanging about near the display that contains the car in which he and Bonnie Parker met their demise.  Yet, of all the famous phantoms in Vegas, the ghost we would probably all like to encounter the most is Whiskey Pete himself, an old miner, bootlegger, and filling station owner who sometimes fills up customers’ cars while they gamble!

Congrats to Courtney Crave, who was just crowned Texas Pin-Up Model of the Year at Hot Rods and Heels last month!

Mini Lemonade Pies

It’s June. For those of us in Texas, we’ve been dealing with summer for a while now. For those of you not in Texas, welcome to summer! For me, summer desserts are supposed to be refreshing and cooling to save our tummies (and sanity) from the oppressive heat. Mini lemonade pies are the perfect hot weather treat for those who don’t like to share. I don’t know about you but when I get my dessert I want it for myself. So while everyone else is melting, you can keep chilly with your own oasis of zingy creamy coolness.

Ingredients

• 1 – 2 packages of 6 pre-made mini graham cracker pie crusts (I use Keebler Ready Crust brand)
• 1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk, keep chilled
• 1 12oz. container of whipped topping, keep thawed
• 1 6 fl. oz. can of frozen lemonade concentrate, keep frozen*
• Optional garnish: graham cracker crumbs or candied lemon pie

*Note: different types of frozen lemonade concentrate can create different pie flavors. For traditional lemon pie use lemonade concentrate, for a sweeter lemon pie use pink lemonade concentrate (my favorite!), or for a key lime pie use frozen limeade concentrate.

Directions

• Pour the chilled sweetened condensed milk into a medium sized bowl. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping. Slowly add the frozen lemonade concentrate and continue folding gently until well mixed, but don’t let the mixture get soupy. You may not need to use the whole can of frozen lemonade, I usually add to taste. For a stronger lemon punch use more, for a milder creamier flavor use less. Ladle the mixture into the mini pie crusts and keep them in the freezer overnight. Before serving garnish them with some graham cracker crumbs or candied lemon peel.

White Sangria

White sangria has to be one of my favorite summer drinks. I proved this once by drinking an entire punch bowl of it on my own at a pool party (not recommended, do not drink and swim). It’s really that good, so you want to make a lot. The sweet fruit flavors go great with the mini lemonade pies, except this time you should probably share.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle sparkling pear cider
• 1 cup white brandy (or more, to taste)
• 2 bottles white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or a Spanish wine
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 2 cups green grapes, cut in half
• 2 fresh peaches, cubed (no canned fruit!)

*Note: the amount of fruit you incorporate depends on how much fruit you like to have in your sangria. I prefer a lot, it adds more flavor and you get to eat it.

Directions

• Get a giant pitcher or punch bowl. Mix all the ingredients together, minus the sparkling pear juice. Let the fruit soak in the mixture for a few hours to bring out the flavors. Before serving, add the sparkling pear juice, if you add this too early it will go flat.

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Summer is here!  In Texas, that means it’s incredibly hot!  Make it a little more tolerable with Courtney Crave’s fabulous White Sangria!

White Sangria

White sangria has to be one of my favorite summer drinks. I proved this once by drinking an entire punch bowl of it on my own at a pool party (not recommended, do not drink and swim). It’s really that good, so you want to make a lot, except you should probably share.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle sparkling pear cider
• 1 cup white brandy (or more, to taste)
• 2 bottles white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or a Spanish wine
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 2 cups green grapes, cut in half
• 2 fresh peaches, cubed (no canned fruit!)

*Note: the amount of fruit you incorporate depends on how much fruit you like to have in your sangria. I prefer a lot, it adds more flavor and you get to eat it.

Directions

• Get a giant pitcher or punch bowl. Mix all the ingredients together, minus the sparkling pear juice. Let the fruit soak in the mixture for a few hours to bring out the flavors. Before serving, add the sparkling pear juice, if you add this too early it will go flat.